Oct 4 What We Tell Ourselves Matters

Written by: Kira Montuori

A few months ago, we painted my daughter's room. Initially, she requested very bold and bright colors and me, being more reserved, said - why don't you do something more subtle and bring those colors into the room through accenting? (Inner voice pleading: Please don't want to do crazy colored walls!!)

Thankfully, this spurred an idea in my daughter. With the help of my sister-in-law, they executed Milana's 'wall of words'. I thought it was great... really great. But, it's greatness didn't quite hit me until the other night when my daughter and I were lying on her bed reading together. As I closed my book, I looked at all of the words on her wall encircling 'Milana is...'

Different. Leader. Fearless. Proud.

Lucky. Fast. Joyful. Dreamer.

Bright. Fashionable. Resourceful. Active.

Brave. Fierce.

I thought -- holy snap crackle pop, she wakes up to these words! Every morning. When the world hasn't hit her yet, she gets to remind herself who SHE is... in her own words.

Words have the ability to breathe life into us. Unfortunately, words can also tear the life right out of us.

I wish this wall was my idea, but I'm grateful my daughter has enough insight to surround herself with words that lift her up. I hope that as she rises from her bed each morning and lays her head to rest each night, that these reminders stitch tightly to the fabric of her core.

Because what we tell ourselves matters.

In fact, the internal dialogue is probably the most important voice we hear. Our inner words define our inner feelings and our relationship with ourselves defines every other relationship in our lives.

And I know I need to choose my inner words with more care. We all need that voice inside to help us RISE and SHINE! Because when the light shines from within... it just can't help but be shared with others.